In 2002, it was a sad year for Megadeth fans (here and now known as “Rattleheads” by your humble reviewer) . Founder Dave Mustaine had to disband the group because of being diagnosed with radial neuropathy, which caused the nerves in his left arm and hand to be strained and left Mustaine unable to play guitar. What makes matters worse was that the band’s previous release, 2001’s The World Needs A Hero, was a lackluster affair who’s bad moments far outweighed it’s great ones. It was a crying shame that one of thrash metal’s greatest bands had to have an album like that to be the band’s swan song.  The end of an era…or was it? 

Fast forward to 2004. Mustaine has regained the ability to play guitar again, and decided to record one more album under the Megadeth moniker to fufill his contractual obligation with Sanctuary Records. Usually albums like this are full of filler and uninspired songs. Would Mr. Mustaine do the same? To the delight of headbangers everywhere, the answer was HELL NO!!! Mustaine has come back from the dead to kick all the posers in the above-ground metal scene square in the balls and send all the nu-metal and emo-metal bands running for cover! Megadeth (well, Dave Mustaine anyway) has returned to burn down the nu-metal fortress with their 2004 release The System Has Failed. Rattleheads everywhere….REJOICE!!! 

First off, the album cover catches your eyes. Hmm…Vic Rattlehead pictured at a podium in front of the Supreme Court building, handing out payoffs to politicians like President Bush, Bill and Hillary Clinton and many others…this hasn’t been seen in years on a Megadeth cover! This may be good! Strap yourselves in because it isn’t just good, it F*CKIN ROCKS!!! 

Kicking off the album in fine fashion is the furious “Blackmail The Universe”. The furious political lyrics, skull butchering guitar riffs and Dave’s signature snarling make your jaw drop on this killer! You wonder if Megadeth is back? YOU BET YOUR ASS THEY ARE! It’s great to see Dave hasn’t lost his venom and his political side, because he always wrote compelling, intelligent political songs. 

This album is not a shred fest, however, but this album is a PERFECT marriage of Rust In Peace aggression and the great, more melodic side showcased on Youthanasia. He truly captured both sides to perfection and didn’t compromise at all to conform with popular trends. The System Has Failed also reunites the original Megadeth guitar duo of Mustaine and original axeman Chris Poland, another welcome sight and sound for long suffering Rattleheads. While Poland will not be joining Megadeth for the tour, he truly gives 110% precent on this album. His leads sound just as awesome as they did when he let it rip on classic albums like Killing Is My Business…And Business Is Good! and Peace Sells…But Who’s Buying? Mustaine sounds like he never lost a beat at all, as his riffs and leads sound as ferocious as ever! The rest of the musician core is made up of bassist Jimmie Lee Sloas and drummer Vinnie Colaiuta, who make a kick ass rhythm section and lay the foundation for Mustaine and Poland’s riffage. Sadly, co-founder and original bassist Dave Ellefson was not a part of this recording and will not be on the tour. Filling the bass player spot will be a very worthy candidate, however. The touring bassist will be ex-Iced Earth bass slinger Jimmy Macdonough. 

Song highlights? Where do I start? The aforementioned “Blackmail The Universe” is the best album opener since “Skin Of My Teeth” from Countdown To Extinction.  The catchy riff of “Die Dead Enough”, the fury and aggression of “Kick The Chair”, the just plain cool groove of “The Scorpion”, the criticism of an unknown former cohort (Lars Ulrich?) on “Something That I’m Not” , the accessible yet still heavy “Truth Be Told” or the personal reflections on “Tears In A Vial” or “Of Mice and Men”? I could go on forever, but I can only type for so long! The album’s highlight however is a song that will make you want to put on your black leather biker jacket and jeans and headbang like it’s 1986 all over again! It’s “Back In The Day”, an ode to thrash metal that will have old-school Rattleheads thinking back to the early days. The lyrics from this song just rule and will have you pumping your fist and making devil signs in appreciation. Here is a sample:

In denim and leather
We were all part of one force
Knocked Rock and Roll on its ass
And put metal on the course 

Go Dave!!! Go Megadeth!!! Mustaine and Co. have done something few bands have done, but many try to do and fail at it: They recaptured their prime! Mustaine sounds like he can keep kicking asses all around the world forever, even if this is the last album under the Megadeth name. The System Has Failed will rank as one of the best albums Megadeth has ever done! If it is the end for the Megadeth name, it is a triumphant one! But all signs point to Mustaine carrying on with a new project! For us loyal Rattleheads (and even for one who lost faith for a while like yours truly), that’s great news! For all the pretenders in the American metal scene, it’s their worst nightmare!

The owl says: PICK THIS BAD BOY UP AND CRANK IT!!

Reviewer:  Matt "Snowy Owl" Bankes

1/2   (4 1/2 out of 5)
 

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